Located approximately 40 miles north of Dallas, the city of Melissa provides the backdrop for a new build-to-rent townhome community thoughtfully designed to feel like home for every resident. 

Developed by Crescent Communities, HARMON Melissa, located in Collin County near the US 75-Sam Rayburn Tollway intersection, offers living spaces unique to residents’ needs where privacy and “front porch living” can live in harmony.

What is a build-to-rent community?

A build-to-rent community is a neighborhood of single-family homes or townhomes built specifically to be leased rather than sold, combining the space of homeownership with the convenience of renting.

HARMON Melissa welcomed its very first residents in early July, but the vision for the community has been three years in the making, said Michael Ryan, director of development for multifamily for Crescent Communities. 

Ryan said they saw a need in the market for an alternative to home buying that also offered the benefits of living in a traditional single-family home. HARMON Melissa residents get the feel of neighborhood living without the stress of a mortgage or maintenance. 

“You get the benefits of not living in an apartment,” Ryan said. “You're not living on top of someone else, but you get the benefits of having a built-in community, a managed property so all the maintenance is taken off your hands in a place where you can really just jump in and start to live the life that you want.”

Staged living room with green sofa, tan leather chair, wood coffee table, and framed landscape artwork on white walls.

What does “front porch living” mean at HARMON Melissa?

At HARMON Melissa, “front porch living” is integral to the community’s design. Meant to both bring people together and give residents their space and privacy, the community layout provides the traditional neighborhood feel. 

The townhomes at HARMON Melissa offer:

  • Spacious layouts: HARMON Melissa offers nine floor plans with three- and four-bedroom options and open-concept layouts.

  • Flexible spaces: Townhomes range from 1,798 to 2,168 square feet, providing enough space for a private office or playroom, depending on the floor plan.

  • Pricing: Base rent rates start around $2,540 a month.

  • Home comforts: Every unit includes an attached two-car garage with a 220-volt electric vehicle outlet, private entrances, a full-size washer and dryer, smart-home technology and more.

A portion of HARMON Melissa’s units are situated along a linear park so front porches open to a community-facing green space—not the street—with paved walking paths. These townhomes also feature rear-entry attached garages, meaning they are located at the back of the house. Townhomes with front-loaded garages offer semi-private backyards for everyday outdoor use.

“At our communities, and especially at HARMON Melissa, you can really get home from work, hang out on your front porch, meet your neighbors and make friends with them,” Ryan said.

Row of new tan townhomes with manicured green lawn, young trees, and walkways under a blue sky.

What amenities does HARMON Melissa offer?

Residents at HARMON Melissa have access to:

  • Three linear parks, all landscaped with walking paths

  • A pool with a chiller to make swimming enjoyable even under the Texas heat

  • A pavilion—an “outdoor living room” for gathering and company, equipped with a refrigerator, an ice maker, a TV, restrooms and Wi-Fi

  • A grilling area with an electric grill and a Big Green Egg smoker

  • A dedicated dog park

  • A Little Free Library

  • A game lawn with room for corn hole and more

Outdoor pool with in-water lounge chairs, poolside loungers, and townhomes under a blue sky at an apartment community.

The community was developed with an emphasis on community connection, from its design to the shared spaces and amenities, where residents can interact with their neighbors and the on-site property management team.

For the team at Crescent Communities, Ryan said the payoff is seeing those meetings after move-in.

“Community is one of our core tenets,” he said. “This is what we all live for and why we all enjoy coming to work is seeing this pay off and seeing people actually make lives, make friends, move in, live their lives at a property in a community that you create.”

What is there to do in Melissa?

Melissa provides the convenience of living in the Metroplex while still offering a small-town feel, Ryan said.

The city offers several municipal parks with amenities for play or unwinding, including Melissa Lake Park, which features a 10-acre lake and walking trails. The city’s parks and recreation department expanded the park amenities this spring to include pavilions, playgrounds, splash pads, a kayak launch and an amphitheater for live music and events. 

Melissa is also home to Melissa ISD—an A-rated school district that offers pre-K-12th grade education with:

  • Five elementary schools

  • Two middle schools

  • One high school

Residents can also get to know the area through HARMON Melissa’s Resident Perks Program, a collaboration with nearby businesses to offer residents coupons to Melissa coffee shops, restaurants, arcades and more.

Covered outdoor lounge with gray sofas, wall-mounted TV on stone, ceiling fans, and pool with townhomes beyond.

Looking for a new place to call home?

Whether a current area family looking to move or a prospective resident searching for a community, HARMON Melissa offers a floor plan to suit your preferences. Interested renters can learn more here:

  • Website: www.harmonmelissa.com 

  • Address: 3000 Harmon Drive, Melissa

  • Phone: 469-848-2985

  • Office hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 1-5 p.m.

Modern bathroom with double granite vanity, large mirror, glass shower, and adjacent walk-in closet.

FAQs

What is HARMON Melissa?

HARMON Melissa is a build-to-rent townhome community in Melissa, Texas, developed by Crescent Communities and managed by Greystar. It offers spacious three- and four-bedroom townhomes with private entrances, attached two-car garages and smart-home features.

What amenities does HARMON Melissa offer residents?

Residents have access to three linear parks, a pool, pavilion, grilling area, dog park, Little Free Library, fire pit and game lawn, along with walking paths and community gathering spaces. 

How much does it cost to rent at HARMON Melissa?

Rent at HARMON Melissa starts around $2,540 base rent per month. The community offers nine floor plans ranging from 1,798 to 2,168 square feet.

What does “front porch living” mean at HARMON Melissa?

“Front porch living” refers to the community’s design, which encourages residents to connect with neighbors while maintaining privacy. Some townhomes feature front porches overlooking landscaped parks and walking paths.

Furnished bedroom with black canopy bed, ceiling fan, sage walls, window with gray curtains, and armchair.

The above story was produced by Multi-Platform Journalist Sarah Hernandez with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.